Questions for Prospective Agents

You want to have a long relationship with your literary agent, so ask these questions up front.

http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2014/02/questions-to-ask-your-prospective.html

Bad Query Advice

It's helpful to know what not to do when you query.

http://bookendsliterary.com/index.php/2015/10/28/the-worst-query-advice-youve-gotten/

Very Young Audiences

How do you keep preschoolers interested in your author presentation?

https://laurasassitales.wordpress.com/2015/09/21/twelve-tips-to-engage-very-young-audiences-at-picture-book-author-events/

Author Bios

Whether it's for your query letter or promoting your book, you want to have a good author bio.

http://buildbookbuzz.com/author-bio-mistakes/

Aspiring Writers

Here's some advice as you set out on your journey to publication.

http://www.adventuresinyapublishing.com/2015/12/ten-things-debut-author-kim-savage.html#.VmIUmHarRlY

Not All Books Sell

No matter how good your manuscript is, it might never find a home with a publisher.

https://andyrossagency.wordpress.com/2013/02/07/my-stern-lecture-to-a-client/

Overused Words

There are some words that many of us overuse and often should be deleted.

https://writelarawrite.wordpress.com/2015/11/17/words-to-delete/#wordlist

Before You Submit

Make sure you follow these important steps before hitting "send."

http://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2015/11/important-steps-before-submitting-to.html

Writing Tips from Stephen King

Learn from the master himself.

http://thewhynot100.blogspot.com/2014/04/36-killer-writing-tips-from-stephen-king.html?m=1

Writing Conferences

If you need encouragement to attend a writing conference, here's a list of reasons to go.

http://www.nikkiwoodsmedia.com/8-reasons-attend-writing-conferences/

Underwriting

Writing too little can be as bad as writing too much.

http://writershelpingwriters.net/2015/11/the-fatal-flaw-of-underwriting/

Pinterest

Is Pinterest a good way to promote your book?

http://www.darcypattison.com/marketing/pinterest-for-authors/

Revision Letters

Congratulations on receiving a revision letter. Now what?

http://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2015/11/what-to-do-with-revision-letters.html

Picture Book Advice

Here are some suggestions for beginning picture book writers.

http://www.laurajoyrennert.com/writers-checklist-picturebooks.php

Literary Agents and Diverse Books

Some agents are actively looking for more diverse titles.

http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/literary-agents-seeking-diverse-books-for-children-and-teens

Book Promotion

Here are some dos and don'ts for getting the word out about your book.

https://henryherz.wordpress.com/2015/10/29/mea-culpa-some-dos-donts-of-promoting-books/

Author Notes

Though more common in nonfiction, backmatter is sometimes appropriate for fiction.

http://kidlit.com/2015/10/25/author-notes-and-backmatter/

Magical Realism

What is magical realism and should you be writing it?

http://www.adventuresinyapublishing.com/2015/10/magical-realism-in-ya-and-why-youll.html#.VmIQgHarRlY

Copyright

Do you need to copyright your manuscript and will that prevent book piracy?

http://annerallen.blogspot.com/2015/10/do-you-need-to-copyright-your.html

Cover Design

Do authors have any input over the cover design of their books?

http://literaticat.tumblr.com/post/129949968155/how-much-input-does-the-author-have-in-cover-art

Forgettable Picture Books

Make sure your picture book is one kids will remember and want to read over and over again.  

http://www.rebeccajgomez.com/2015/09/7-warning-signs-that-your-picture-book.html?m=1

Time to Publish

Publication takes a long time because there are many steps from initial manuscript to a book on the shelf.

http://authorchristinenorris.tumblr.com/post/130889235828/why-does-publishing-take-so-long

Fractured Fairy Tales

Kids love fractured fairy tales, so learn how to make yours the best it can be.

https://taralazar.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/howtowritefracturedfairytales.pdf

Twitter for Authors

How to get started with Twitter and move beyond the basics.

http://451words.tumblr.com/post/116224433355/twitter-for-authors-part-2-beyond-the-basics-a 
http://451words.tumblr.com/post/114856818615/twitter-for-authors-part-1-getting-started-a

Query Resources

When your manuscript is ready to query, consult these websites before submitting.

http://www.adventuresinyapublishing.com/2015/10/5-indispensable-resources-you-need-when.html#.ViK8oflVhBc

Writing Tips from Ursula LeGuin

Here are eight of LeGuin's best writing tips.

http://www.nownovel.com/blog/writing-a-novel-ursula-le-guin/

Publisher Bankruptcy

It's never good news to hear your publisher is declaring bankruptcy, but it's important what you should do if that happens.

http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/2015/09/help-my-publisher-is-declaring.html

Scene List

Creating a scene list can change, for the better, the way you write your novel.

http://thewritepractice.com/scene-list/

Negative Critiques

A negative critique, as hard as it is to hear, will help you improve your manuscript.

http://ingridsundberg.com/2015/08/24/what-to-do-when-you-get-a-negative-critique-of-your-writing/

Pre-Release Marketing

Here are twelve months of preparation for the launch of your book.

http://www.livewritethrive.com/2015/09/28/a-12-month-strategic-plan-for-marketing-your-book-before-release/